Thoughts and Reflections

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

I remember as a child – camping as a family. I remember the dark nights and how my father’s lantern on the picnic table would shine and lead us home when we were out and about. Dad kept the globe on the lamp clean and the wick new and it burnt bright. He kept a good supply of fuel in the lamp and in storage. The light would shine in the darkness – and the darkness could not overcome it.

I remember one of my siblings – my brother I believe – needed a night-light early in his life. A little light plugged into a wall outlet – that gave off a dim light. Even in the darkness of the night in the bedroom – this little light was enough to give peace to him as he woke in the night. Continue reading →

John 1:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Have you ever tried to go from one doorway to another in a room that is without any lights? There is a room in my basement that only has a switch at one door and not the other. If for some reason I go out in the light or someone follows me and turns off the light – I must return in the dark. It is not always easy for sure! Thank God for the flashlight app on my iPhone. It has helped me avoid stubbing my toe many times.

But – I have often gone around in the dark because I like the light switches to be in the right direction (you know – up for on and down for off). If I turn the light on at one door and off at the next – the switches get out of sequence (I know – a little OCD of me for sure). It is my issue – I’m sure I am alone! Walking in the dark is no fun I must say. Continue reading →

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Where do we go for truth? In this day and age – truth is hard to come by. Fake news is all the rage it seems. The media reports what supports their agenda or what sells their papers or commercials.

Where do we go for truth? Do we seek truth in the history of men and women? Do you search for truth among the stories of our country or of the world? All the rage these days is bringing down historic figures that don’t tell the tale we would like (I’m totally against neo-Nazis and white supremacy) – but I’m not convinced that the destruction of historic monuments is the way to go (where will we stop – I’ve heard some would like to destroy monuments of George Washington because of some of his sins). Continue reading →

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Have we ever walked in the darkness? I am one of those people who must have the light switches going in the correct direction (up in on – down is off). With that said – you know I have stumbled through a dark room so I wouldn’t get the light switches in the wrong position. Crazy – right?

Have we ever walked in the darkness? I’m so thankful my cell phone has a flashlight on it. I use it often (see above paragraph) while walking in darkness – inside and outside. I only have one switch in part of my basement and when the light is off and it is dark outside – I need the flashlight in order to walk through till I get to the switch (which is always up for on and down for off). Having a light to shine in the darkness is important for sure.

Have we ever walked in the darkness? Have we ever felt like we were lost – without focus – without a purpose? We can feel that way as an individual or a family or a church or even a country. Yesterday in worship at First UMC in Laurel I spoke a little about broken hearts. When we break up with a significant other – dating or in marriage – we often feel lost – walking in the darkness. Listen to the sermon for some suggestions on how to mend a broken heart (http://fumcl.org/sermons) (because it was VBS Sunday the sermon may not get uploaded until the middle of the week). Continue reading →

John 1:5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Have you ever tried to go from one doorway to another in a room that is without any lights? There is a room in my basement that only has a switch at one door and not the other. If for some reason I go out in the light or someone follows me and turns off the light – I must return in the dark. It is not always easy for sure! Thank God for the flashlight app on my iPhone.

But – I have often gone around in the dark because I like the light switches to be in the right direction (you know – up for on and down for off). If I turn the light on at one door and off at the next – the switches get out of sequence (I know – a little OCD of me for sure). It is my issue – I’m sure I am alone! Continue reading →